My First Real Magickal Ritual: A Summoning

If you remember this post I talked a lot about symbols and magick. If you haven't read it, it'll help you understand this post.

A few weeks ago I did my first ritual. I chose to create and summon an angel who represents all the good things in my life; all the things about myself that I like, and all the ways I want myself to be. I figured if I were to have a conversation with this being, it might help me realize these things within myself, so that they are no longer just wants.

I set up a fairly tall mirror in front of me, set lit candles around me, and got on my knees. I had a glass filled with cranberry juice as an offering to the angel. Just as cranberry juice is used to cleanse the body, and flush out impurities, it was a symbolic offering to remove all the negative things in my life. I took a drink of the juice, and said "Angel, I wait for you to appear" or something of that nature. I just sat there, staring at my reflection, waiting patiently, trying not to expect much. After a while, I noticed the shadows were casting what looked like wings behind me, and I automatically felt a presence. The hairs on the back of my head stood up. I asked no one in particular "Are you here?" and heard in my head "Yes". Granted, this was not an audible answer, but more like a feeling, or a thought, like when you "hear" your own voice in your head when you think to yourself.

After the presence made itself known to me, I started swinging back and forth, and from side to side, not really able, or willing to stop it. This went on for some time, though I'm not sure how long. Then I felt a push and my back, and I was staring at my reflection in the cranberry juice. The weird part was, even though my eyes were open, my reflection's eyes were closed. Again, I "heard" the presence, which said "When my eyes open, drink the juice." At that point I had an understanding that the reflection was not mine, but that of the angel's, who was not yet powerful enough to have full consciousness. For some reason, I began breathing hard into the glass, effectively breathing "life" into the being. Then, after a while, I saw the reflection's eyes snap open. I sat up, and drank the juice quickly. I understood then, that the "angel" was "within me" and the ritual was over.

I blew out the candles, and put away my various implements. Then I just hung out outside on my porch, had a cigarette, and talked with the angel. She helped belay some fears I was having, instilled confidence in me, and was generally very helpful. She was the same way the next morning. The next day though, she was gone, with only a small whisper a couple times during the day. I haven't attempted to summon her again, but I have a feeling that the more I do, the stronger she will become, and better able to help me. Ideally, I would like to do this once a week, if not once every few days.

For those of you who are confused; I do not believe I summoned a literal entity, nor did I really hear voices. I used this ritual to compartmentalize the positive aspects of myself, and to think of them as a teacher. The ritual was my subconscious acting on the mood and way of thinking I put it in... this is where the swaying, angel wings, and reflection with the closed eyes came from. The voices were my own thoughts, which after focusing on the positive, became more encouraging. They went away after a day or so because the negative thoughts again began to assert themselves. So, if I keep at this ritual every so often, I feel I will become a more positive, and successful person.

I have a few more rituals I am working on, and will talk about soon. The biggest being the inverse of the last. Creating an entity composed of all my negativity, and "killing" it.


BEER! BEER! BEER!

Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, CA

Oaked Arrogant Bastard, 7.2% ABV, 12oz bottle

Stone's Oaked AB is an American Strong Ale.

Dark, reddish and cloudy. Looks a slight bit thick coming out of the bottle. About a finger's worth of creamy off white head. Retention is lower than I expected, but plenty of lacing. I smell mostly caramel and alcohol. A little bit of oak but I'm not sure if that's placebo effect.

I wonder if maybe this has gone bad. It HAS been sitting in the back of my fridge for at least a few months. I bought a six pack a while back and kept one to review, but only got around to it now. Carbonation is a lot less than I remember, but that may be due to poor memory. I don't taste the oak at all. Alcohol warmth and a good bit of bitterness. I taste slight caramel, but I have to really concentrate to find it. Cloves come through as well.

On second thought, I don't think it has gone bad, I just think it has been a long time since I've had it or regular Bastard. Moderate thickness. Carbonation doesn't come through well unless I hold it in my mouth. I could have a couple, but it's not what I would choose to drink often. I'm a little disappointed. It's not as good as I remember, and for the price, I would buy this very sparingly.

I feel bad not giving this beer a better review. Stone has consistently been one of my favorites, but I think my tastes are leaning toward different styles now.

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Finally, I'd like to show you a little video. For those of you who don't know, Budweiser recently rolled out an ale.



This seems a little silly to me. In the video they are really trying to change their image, ostensibly to appeal to Craft beer drinkers, and Beer Geeks. Now, if this ale is fuller bodied, and fuller flavored, what I think it will do, if people like it, is make them more curious about better beers, try some craft offerings, and maybe convert them to REAL beer. I can hope. Either that, or people will hate it, and it'll get pushed from the market. OR people who were already Bud fans will drink it as well as the Lager, and not really make a difference. It's really funny to see people tasting, and swirling around that watery, straw yellow stuff like it was a finely crafted beer, when they KNOW it's not. What they are really tasting for is consistency, not quality. But hell. I'll quit wining and give it a try, maybe even review it for this site. It does look darker, and have more head to it than the lager. I might like it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Dimmu Borgir's "In Sorte Diaboli" and Dogfish Head's Festina Pêche

Ok, So it's no secret that Dimmu Borgir is one of my favorite if not my all time favorite metal bands. Their latest (over a year old), is no exception.



In Sorte Diaboli is the story of a Christian Priest who moves from the side of Christ, to the side of Satan.

The first track "The Serpentine Offering" opens with a darkly triumphant symphonic section, full of strings, horns, and a men's choir, presumably the hordes of Satan being called to battle for this Priest's soul. It builds to a driving hard guitar riff and double bass, until Shagrath, putting on the guise of the dark lord himself proclaims:

"My decent is the story of everyman
I am hatred, darkness and despair
My decent is the story of everyman
I am hatred, darkness and despair"

Then the riff that begins after:

"Evoked and entertained through centuries
Wrathful and sullen--dormant still "

has me wishing my office was a mosh pit. Awesome.

On we go to a rising chorus:

"Reconcile not with the fear of the snake
But embrace it as your own
Inject it's venom into your veins
And replant the seed that gives growth
Still shrouded in mystery
Until you arise above perception
A veil of ignorance is in motion
Continuing throughout generation"

The song moves on and gets the blood pumping, ending in a chant of "Share my Sacrifice!"

Clearly, this priest is leaning from light to darkness.

On to "The Chosen Legacy," where the priest stops leaning and chooses sides. More driving riffs, a simple, primal scream escapes Shagrath's throat before he growls:

"Hence I will anoint
And whisper wholeheartedly
The creed of Hades and beyond
As I succumb to inevitable sin

For I can not enslave myself
With imaginary words of salvation
The hypocrisy that surrounds my temple
Is assisted by pretenders to the throne"

Again, the driving riffs are joined by symphonic strings, marching, brutal, double bass, and chants of:

IN SORTE DIABOLI meaning "in the lot of the Devil" Around 3:05 the bass drum doubletimes it rattling your chest with sound... that is, of course, if you have it at the proper ear-spliting volume.

Then there is "The Conspiracy Unfolds"

"Fallen I have, fallen I am
Cursed and destined to burn

My loyalty towards a liar ceased to exist
Once misled my and empty fraudulent face
I will never turn my back on you
And deceive the flesh of our race

I will always speak truly
So you can understand
No riddles that manipulate
The words and symbols of Man"

The promises that Satan gives is this: there is no cross, no Trinity, no virgin Birth, no Ressurection, there is the simplicity of the Darkness inside you.

"Do not believe false promises
Conspiring to cover up the truth
Find sollace in darkness within yourself
And have your legions unleashed "

Next is "The Sacrilegious Scorn" where Satan challenges God:

"Have I not
Been too long in your shadows of invention and creation?
As I rightfully behold the flesh
Fear of the conscious mind will have you facing away

My word and world holds ground and is real
Your world is like floods of poisoned water
A language spoken with spit from different tongues

It all seems like an eternity
This battle between us two
"Good and evil"
Me and you

Time has come to step up
And take back what you took from me"

He certainly has a way with words!

Still more to come with "The Fallen Arise" an instrumental, and like the title, Dark, and hopeful. Actually, a quite beautiful song with rising and falling strings, and percussion that seems to come from a subterranean lake. The sounds of marching soldiers and horses fade out.

I like the lyrics to "The Heretic Hammer" the best.

"Vengeance is mine
Neither sweet nor kind
Vengeance is mine

No longer will I be held responsible
For the error of your ways

My conscience
Stands defiantly proud and rigid
So take my advice

Meet your opposition
Profane and disciplined
Take back your pride
With a pounding hammer"

Then in "The Sinister Awakening" the Priest says:

I am warm by this fire
And it's flaming desire
For what I cannot fulfil
My destiny completes"

Comfortable in his choice as a new agent of Darkness, chanting "Antichristus Spiritualis"

You know what? Fuck that. The more I really pay attention to the lyrics, I don't see much of a "Story" presenting itself. I'll be honest. I was trying too hard to put the pieces together, because I read it was supposed to be a concept album. The only real story is the priest saying "FUCK YOU JESUS!" ... Not a good story.

Well, the music is great despite that. Get the album if you don't already have it. It's loud, and evil, and it's great to drive with it blasting. Especially the opening to track 9, "The Invaluable Darkness" I mostly wanna talk about beer anyway.

Well summer's over, so here is it's last gasp for breath:

Dogfish Head's Festina Pêche. It's a Berliner Weissbeir at a paltry 4.5% ABV.

Moderately cloudy, yellowish champagne color... a little darker than. What little head there was quickly dissipated. Moderate carbonation. Not to prettiest beer I've seen, but here we go.

There's a tangy and sweet; champagne-like smell. A little syrupy. Nice, but not a strong smell overall. Fruity, peach taste; again, tangy, but not too sour. It's really almost like I'm drinking champagne at this point. There's a very slight saltiness on the back and sides of the tongue as it goes down. Unexpected but pleasant. Nothing new comes out as it warms a bit.

This beer is dry and light, but far from watery. Tingly carbonation. Very refreshing. Not my favorite, overall, but a great summer beer. Could be enjoyed in the blistering noon heat, or in cooler summer nights. I hope to see this beer next year.